Biden slams Putin, hails Ukraine in annual speech

WASHINGTON DC (Kurdistan 24) – US President Joe Biden began his annual State of the Union speech to Congress on Tuesday evening by denouncing Russian President Vladimir Putin and his assault on Ukraine while hailing the courage of the people and leadership of that country.

Biden was regularly interrupted by bipartisan applause as legislators on both sides of the aisle rose to show their support for his views.

Biden reiterated the already-established position of his administration: no US soldiers will be sent to Ukraine to defend that country. However, the US will provide arms and political and economic support. 

However, when it comes to NATO, the situation is very different. "The United States and our Allies will defend every inch of territory of NATO countries with the full force of our collective power," Biden said.

Biden also announced a new measure: the US is joining the European Union (EU) in closing its airspace to Russian planes. The EU action means that Russian aircraft can no longer fly west. The US action cuts off some Arctic routes.

The big picture for Biden and many other world leaders, as well as many of the people they lead, is one of freedom versus dictatorship, democracy versus autocracy. 

The entire crisis echoes the start of World War II when Adolph Hitler marched German troops into a German-speaking region of Czechoslovakia. The European powers acceded to Hitler's demand, telling themselves they had brought "peace in our time," in the infamous words of British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain.

Instead, they brought the bloodiest war that humanity ever saw: some 80 million people died in the course of that conflict. 

Denunciation of Putin

In Russia's assault on Ukraine, "Putin sought to shake the foundations of the free world thinking he could make it bend to his menacing ways," Biden said in his State of the Union speech, "but he badly miscalculated."

"Putin's attack was premeditated and unprovoked," and "he rejected repeated efforts at diplomacy," Biden continued, but "Putin was wrong."

Experts such as Prof. Henrik Paulsson of the Swedish Defense University suggest that Russia's military and intelligence, quite erroneously, thought they could seize Kiev within 48 hours.

Of course, that did not happen. The Ukrainians responded with extraordinary resistance. As the war enters its seventh day, a huge column of Russian forces—stretching for some 60 kilometers—has approached within 20 miles of the Ukrainian capital, but it remains outside Kiev.

The unexpectedly effective Ukrainian resistance, along with the sheer outrageousness of the Russian assault, has prompted an overwhelming majority of countries to rally behind the embattled country and support the Ukrainians in their conflict with Moscow.

"Putin is now isolated from the world more than ever," Biden affirmed on Tuesday night.

Hailing Ukrainian Leadership and People

From President [Volodymyr] Zelenskyy to every Ukrainian, their fearlessness, their courage, their determination inspires the world," Biden said.

Read More: Zelenskyy's unlikely journey from comedy to Ukrainian hero

"Groups of citizens blocking tanks with their bodies," Biden continued, "everyone from students to retirees, teachers turned soldiers, defending their homeland."

Biden cited Zelenskyy's speech that he gave earlier on Tuesday to the European Parliament. As Zelenskyy spoke, the translator choked up with emotion, and when his speech ended, Zelenskyy received a standing ovation from the European legislators.

"Light will win over darkness," Biden said on Tuesday evening, quoting Zelenskyy, noting that the Ukrainian ambassador was in the audience—the guest of his wife, Jill.

Economic Consequences of Sanctions for Russia

Over the past week, the US, European Union, and allied countries like Australia, Britain, Canada, Japan, and "many others," even Switzerland, which has a long history of neutrality, have acted against Moscow, Biden noted. 

The result has already been significant economic problems for Russia. The ruble, the Russian currency, "has lost 30% of its value" since the sanctions were announced, Biden stated. 

Read More: New penalties for Russia: Central Bank sanctioned and Germany to send Ukraine arms

"The Russian stock market has lost 40% of its value and trading remains suspended," he continued. "Russia's economy is reeling, and Putin alone is to blame," he said.

However, given the course of events, Biden does not expect to see immediate results in terms of the ongoing war.

"We remain clear-eyed," he said. "The Ukrainians are fighting back with pure courage, but the next few days, weeks, months will be hard on them."

"Putin has unleashed violence and chaos," the US President affirmed, but he will pay a "high price over the long run."